Russia starts the second phase of tactical nuclear weapons training… Belarus participating (comprehensive)

Putin orders nuclear weapons training in response to ‘Western provocation’

Image shows Iskander K missile being launched during a military exercise in 2022 [AP/Russian Ministry of Defense=Yonhap News Agency file photo. Redistribution and DB prohibited]

(Seoul=Yonhap News) A Yonhap News correspondent in Moscow reported on the 11th (local time) that the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Russia and Belarus have begun the second stage of tactical nuclear weapons training in Russia.

The Russian Ministry of Defense explained in a statement, “(During the 2nd stage) training will include joint exercises between the Russian Federation and Belarus for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons.”

It also stated that the purpose of this exercise is to maintain the readiness of the forces and equipment of both countries to unconditionally guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Union State.

Russia and Belarus have been pursuing national integration since signing the Union State founding treaty in 1999, and last year, Russian tactical nuclear missiles were deployed in Belarus.

The Russian Ministry of Defense emphasized that the second stage of tactical nuclear weapons training was carried out following the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Putin ordered the conduct of tactical nuclear weapons training in response to provocations and threats from the West last month to protect Russian territory and sovereignty.

The training follows remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron mentioning the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron suggesting that Russia’s mainland could be targeted with weapons provided to Ukraine. This was in response to Western countries allowing strikes on Russian territory using weapons provided to Ukraine.

In the heightened tension with warnings from President Putin about deploying long-range missiles targeting Western countries to a third country, the second stage of tactical nuclear weapons training has begun.

On the previous day, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin also stated that the training was carried out as a preparatory measure to strengthen readiness for the so-called retaliatory use of weapons. He further revealed that the Belarusian Armed Forces are participating in the second stage of Russian tactical nuclear weapons training.

However, he did not specify where the training took place and what weapons were mobilized.

Tactical nuclear weapons training consists of a total of three stages, with Belarus participating in the second stage.

The first stage of the tactical nuclear weapons training, which started on the 21st of last month, was conducted in the Russian southern military district close to Ukraine and included training with Iskander short-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.

Minister Khrenin stated, “We do not have the goal of creating tensions in regional security issues. We do not pose a military threat to any third country or anyone else.”

Belarus shares a border with three NATO countries, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.

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